Compensator Nut

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Jul 23, 2010 | 03:00 PM

TRVSDAD

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 365

Likes: 1

From: Phoenix, Az.

Compensator Nut

Just spent 400.00 to replace rotor (?) after the compensator nut came loose and tore out the splines. Any idea why the compensator nut came/comes loose. Seems it has happened to many riders. Why isn't there a retaining clip of some sort to prevent the damage from getting worse as it loosens up?

Jul 23, 2010 | 03:10 PM

89FLHT

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 2,379

Likes: 226

they get loose if there was not enough torque applied correctly the first time or even if there was, if shims are to thick and it bottoms out without fully seating.

Best to grab the FSM - measure the stack hieght of the compensator and shims, make sure they are within spec, clean the shaft, threads and the nut completly. apply red loctite and use the proper torque wrench and proceedure in the FSM to make sure your good to go.

Jul 23, 2010 | 03:15 PM

TRVSDAD

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 365

Likes: 1

From: Phoenix, Az.

I had a chrome inner primary installed when the bike was almost new, maybe the tech did not tighten it properly (if he had to remove it to put on the new inner primary). I can only hope the latest tech did as you described above with the shims and red lock-tite.

Jul 23, 2010 | 04:06 PM

harry.b

Tourer

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 274

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From: South Texas

He did have to remove it to put on the new inner primary. several things can go wrong if the tech takes a short cut. To do the job right, both compensator nut and threads on the output shaft have to be spotless and free of any oil and residual loctite. It took me a while to thoroughly clean mine. Also, if the tech didn't use any lock tite accellerator, then the bike should have sat for at least 24 hours to let the loctite cure. Even if the tech did torque to specs, but got sloppy on the previous steps, the loctite would not have held. Sorry for your bad luck.

Jul 23, 2010 | 05:25 PM

threeten

Tourer

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 418

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From: Colorado

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRVSDAD

Just spent 400.00 to replace rotor (?) after the compensator nut came loose and tore out the splines.

There have been a lot of posts about compensator nuts lately.

Did you have any warning before it broke loose? Excess vibration? Just like to know what to look for.

Jul 23, 2010 | 05:31 PM

Badfinger

Road Master

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 818

Likes: 1

From: S/W Ohio

The only warning I had was a clattering noise when letting the clutch out, almost sounds like the jiffy stand hitting the bottom of the bike.

Jul 23, 2010 | 05:52 PM

TRVSDAD

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 365

Likes: 1

From: Phoenix, Az.

A very minor grind, very intermittent, could not replicate it. Some times it took two blocks to happen, then not again for 80 miles only lasted about two seconds. Tech said I was lucky it didn't fail and leave us stranded that 80 miles from home.

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Jul 23, 2010 | 07:20 PM

Jackie Paper

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 38,457

Likes: 6,378

From: Honah Lee

Nut

Just my opinion but I do not think the nut on at least 04 on needs to be loose to stripe the narrow spline. Some hard driving and downshifting will wring it off. After all it is a very small spline and just a little narrow spacer on the face. When I replaced mine the part man said as best I can remember the had sold ten in the last year. Check my grf000 pictures and my write up. Mine stripped out and the nut was still locktite frozen and was being driven by the compensator spring. The newer bikes have gone to a seration like the clutch drive which should be much stronger. Not sure which years but my 04 has a 10 spline

Last edited by Jackie Paper; Jul 23, 2010 at 07:24 PM.